5 players the Raiders need to play well to beat the Dolphins
By John Buhler
The Las Vegas Raiders can improve to 3-0 with a Week 3 victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Through the first two weeks of the 2021 NFL season, the Las Vegas Raiders are one of only seven undefeated teams left.
While the Silver and Black needed overtime to beat the Baltimore Ravens at home in Week 1, they did not really have much of an issue putting away the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road in Week 2. Las Vegas is in a great spot to move to 3-0 when the Miami Dolphins come to town. However, these five players must play well if the Raiders want to remain undefeated heading into October.
If the Raiders do get to 3-0, it is because these five players had good games vs. the Dolphins.
Las Vegas Raiders: 5 players who must play well to beat the Miami Dolphins
player. 28. WR. 5. Las Vegas Raiders. Henry Ruggs III. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Henry Ruggs III must build off his fantastic game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers
The Raiders used a first-round pick on Henry Ruggs III out of Alabama last year for a reason: The guy can absolutely fly. While he always had serious boom-or-bust potential coming into the NFL, we cannot deny how impressive he was vs. the Steelers on Sunday. Ruggs led the way with five catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. He is now second on the team in receiving yards this year.
Though there are other more established and more reliable receiving options on the Raiders roster over Ruggs, this game at home vs. the Dolphins is all about him building on previous success. If the Raiders are going to want to hang tough with the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West, they are going to need that consistent home-run threat ability akin to what Tyreek Hill has been for years.
While we should not count on Ruggs leading the team in targets and receiving yards again, he should have around three or four grabs for somewhere close to 75 yards. If he hits pay dirt vs. the Dolphins secondary, that would be fantastic, but this game is all about Ruggs emerging as an ever-present deep threat in the Raiders’ increasing vertical passing game. This is a big opportunity.
If Ruggs keeps the safeties in check, then that will open up more opportunities for his teammates.